The D1scourse 30

One really interesting development nearly two-thirds through the season is how few quality victories the teams in the chase for Nos. 21-40 have this year.

My Harris poll ballot is below, and I feel pretty good about those top 20 teams. After that, it feels like a complete crapshoot.

SEE RELATED:

And here’s why: That top 20 has very few losses to the next tier of teams.

Part of that is because one really good victory coupled with a two-loss (or less) record will get you into the top 20.

But there aren’t many 4-3 teams floating around with that impressive win right now. Nix that. There’s one – Clemson.

Here’s the breakdown of the 18 losses by the top 20 teams below:

TO OTHER TOP 20s (12)

Arizona against IowaCalifornia against OregonCalifornia against Southern CaliforniaGeorgia Tech against Virginia TechLouisiana State against FloridaMiami against Virginia TechOhio State against Southern CaliforniaOklahoma State against HoustonOregon against Boise StatePenn State against IowaVirginia Tech against AlabamaVirginia Tech against Georgia Tech

TO SUB-.500 TEAMS (5)

Arizona against WashingtonHouston against Texas-El PasoOhio State against PurduePittsburgh against N.C. StateSouthern California against Washington

TO .500+ NON-TOP 20s (1)

Miami against Clemson

And in case you forgot, Clemson lost to Maryland. It takes a little more than an overtime win 45 minutes from Miami’s campus to clean that smudge off.

As always, record, regulation record (all OT games treated as ties), last week’s rank and notable wins and losses are included.